Sebastian Coates' future still to be decided say Liverpool FC

Liverpool's Sebastian Coates in action against Fulham. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

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Liverpool FC say they will wait until pre-season before resolving the future of defender Sebastian Coates.

The Uruguayan’s long-term prospects at Anfield look increasingly uncertain after a season where he was mainly restricted to appearances in cup competitions.

With Jamie Carragher having retired and Martin Skrtel struggling to recapture the form which saw him named Player of the Year last season, finding defensive reinforcements is manager Brendan Rodgers’ priority this summer.

Rodgers is also interested in Manchester City defender Kolo Toure, who is out of contract at the Etihad Stadium, but the ECHO understands the Reds are no longer in the hunt for Swansea City’s Ashley Williams.

Since signing from Nacional in the summer of 2011 for a reported £7m, Coates has made just 17 starts.

Rodgers has praised Coates’ dedication and professionalism during his spell on the fringes and understands the 22-year-old is eager for regular first-team football.

But the Reds boss says the club will make no rash decision on the defender’s future.

“It’s one where we will assess it,” he said.

“Seb has been in here and has been a very loyal member of our squad.

“He has been a great support player for the group. Obviously his chances have been very limited. That’s unfortunately how it is sometimes as a defender.

“As a manager you are very rarely changing the defence. It’s more the midfield and front players. It’s been difficult for him.

“He got a lot of games at the beginning of the season with the cups but obviously since January it has been hard for him. We will sit down when he comes back for pre-season and we will take it from there.”

Rodgers added: “He has been here a few years now. All players want to play, I respect that but we will see what the summer brings.”